JP6043489B2 - Tampon applicator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an applicator for a tampon.

  Conventionally, a sanitary tampon with an applicator has been provided. The tampon applicator includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The absorber which has a drawer string is accommodated in the inside of an outer cylinder. When the user uses the sanitary tampon, the user inserts the outer cylinder into the vagina while holding the outer cylinder, and then presses the inner cylinder toward the outer cylinder. When the inner cylinder is pressed toward the outer cylinder, the absorber is pushed out of the outer cylinder and disposed in the vagina. However, when the sanitary tampon is used, if the user pushes out the absorber without inserting the outer cylinder to an appropriate depth, the absorber is not disposed at an appropriate position in the vagina.

  Patent Document 1 describes a tampon applicator made in view of such a problem. The tampon applicator includes a curved flange extending around the outer cylinder. When using the sanitary tampon, the user presses the outer cylinder through the buttocks and inserts the outer cylinder into the vagina. The buttock comes into contact with the vaginal opening when the outer cylinder is inserted to an appropriate depth. Therefore, the user can insert the outer cylinder to an appropriate depth. When the user pushes out the absorber with the outer tube inserted to an appropriate depth, the absorber is placed at an appropriate position in the vagina.

Japanese Patent No. 3217617

  However, the applicant has found the following problems with the above-described tampon applicator.

  When using a tampon, depending on the user, the tip of the tampon applicator is placed in the vagina with the labia opened with one hand and the inner tube and the grasping tube or buttocks held with the other hand. The outer tube is inserted into the vagina, facing the mouth. At this time, when viewing the tampon applicator from the user, the hand holding the inner cylinder is located behind the buttocks. Therefore, the user cannot visually recognize the hand holding the inner cylinder of the tampon, cannot smoothly press the inner cylinder toward the outer cylinder, or cannot press the inner cylinder toward the outer cylinder, In some cases, the absorber could not be placed at an appropriate position in the vagina.

  Then, this invention is made | formed in view of the above-mentioned subject, and it aims at providing the applicator for tampon which can arrange | position an absorber easily in the appropriate position in a vagina.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a tampon applicator (tampon applicator 1) according to the present invention has an extrusion opening in which an absorbent body (absorbent body 4) is housed and the absorbent body is pushed out to one side. An outer cylinder (outer cylinder 2) provided with (push-out opening 8) and provided with a gripping cylinder part (griping cylinder part 7) on the other side, and absorbed by movement into the outer cylinder inserted into the gripping cylinder part An inner cylinder (inner cylinder 3) capable of extruding the body outward from the extrusion opening, and extending from the outer peripheral surface of the gripping cylinder portion of the outer cylinder toward the radially outer side ( It is provided with a collar part 11), and the collar part is formed with a light transmission part that can visually recognize the grip cylinder part side from the extrusion opening side of the outer cylinder through the collar part. And

  According to the present invention, since the user can visually recognize the back side through the light transmission part, the user can visually recognize a hand having an inner cylinder or a gripping cylinder part (a hand operating the tampon applicator). Since the user can grasp the operation state, the user can push the absorber smoothly and place the absorber at an appropriate position in the vagina.

1 is a perspective view of a tampon applicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the applicator for tampon shown in FIG. It is a model front view which shows the usage condition of the applicator for tampons shown in FIG. It is a top view of the collar part concerning modification 1. It is a top view of the collar part concerning modification 2. It is a top view of the collar part concerning modification 3.

(First embodiment)
With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the applicator for tampons which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire tampon applicator according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tampon applicator shown in FIG.

  The tampon applicator 1 has an outer cylinder 2 and an inner cylinder 3. The outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 have a cylindrical shape having a hollow portion inside. The cross-sectional shape of the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 is a perfect circle. The outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 are entirely formed of a polyolefin-based resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or cardboard whose surface is laminated with a polyolefin film. In the present embodiment, the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 are formed by injection molding by mixing polyethylene or polypropylene, pigment 1% or more, and lubricant 1% or more. In addition, although the cross-sectional shape of the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 which concerns on this Embodiment is a perfect circle, the cross-sectional shape of the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 which concerns on this invention is a shape which is easy to insert in a vagina. For example, it may be oval.

  An absorber 4 as a tampon is accommodated in the outer cylinder 2. An extraction string 4 a is connected to the absorber 4. The take-out string 4 a is inserted through the inner cylinder 3 from the end of the absorber 4, and the insertion end is extracted from the inner cylinder 3. The absorbent body 4 can be pulled out from the body by pulling the take-out string 4a during use.

  One end of the outer cylinder 2 is provided with an extrusion opening 8 through which the absorber 4 is extruded. The extrusion opening 8 is formed with a petal body 8a that is deformed outward in the radial direction when the absorber 4 is extruded. The petal body 8a is normally closed at the edge of the extrusion opening 8, but when the absorber 4 is pushed out by the inner cylinder 3, the petal body 8a is expanded and opened by the absorber 4. Thereby, the absorber 4 is pushed out from the outer cylinder 2, and the absorber 4 can be inserted in a body.

  The other end of the outer cylinder 2 is provided with a gripping cylinder portion 7 that is gripped by a finger when the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 are moved. The gripping cylinder part 7 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the outer cylinder main body 9 between the extrusion opening 8 and the gripping cylinder part 7. The leading end portion of the inner cylinder 3 is inserted into the gripping cylinder portion 7, and the leading end surface of the inserted inner cylinder 3 faces the absorber 4. The end of the outer cylinder body 9 on the gripping cylinder part 7 side is narrowed to a diameter substantially equal to that of the gripping cylinder part 7, and a protrusion 5 is formed at the outer end. The protrusion 5 abuts on a flange 11 described later, and restricts the movement of the flange 11 so as not to move the flange 11 toward the outer cylinder main body 9.

  The grip cylinder portion 7 is provided with a flange portion 11 that extends outward in the radial direction from the grip cylinder portion 7. The flange portion 11 is in contact with the protruding portion 5. The flange portion 11 is formed with a hole portion 11a into which the gripping cylinder portion 7 is inserted. The diameter of the hole 11 a may be larger than the diameter of the outer periphery of the gripping cylinder part 7 or the same diameter as the diameter of the outer periphery of the gripping cylinder part 7. Further, the inner diameter D <b> 1 of the hole portion 11 a of the flange portion 11 is smaller than the outer diameter of the protruding portion 5. Therefore, the collar part 11 is movable with respect to the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the gripping cylinder part 7. Further, the protrusion 11 is restricted by the protrusion 5 from moving toward the outer cylinder main body than the protrusion 5.

  In the tampon applicator 1 of the present embodiment, the inner diameter D1 of the collar portion 11 is 9.9 mm, the outer diameter of the outer cylinder main body 9 is 13.7 mm, and the outer diameter of the gripping cylinder portion 7 is 9.4 mm. Yes, the outer diameter of the protrusion 5 is 10.4 mm. Further, the length L1 (see FIG. 2) from the end of the outer cylinder 2 on the extrusion opening 8 side to the collar part is 50 mm, and the outer cylinder 2 on the gripping cylinder part 7 side from the front surface side of the collar part 11 is 50 mm. The length L2 to the end (see FIG. 2) is 10 mm. In addition, since the length L2 from the surface on the distal end side of the collar portion 11 to the end portion of the outer cylinder 2 on the gripping cylinder portion 7 side is the length of the portion that the user grips with a finger during use, In view of ease of holding, it is desirable that the distance is 10 mm or more. Moreover, the thickness of the collar part 11 is 1.5 mm.

  The outer shape of the collar portion 11 is circular in plan view. The total light transmittance of the collar portion 11 is configured to be 63% or more. The collar part 11 is entirely translucent, and is configured so that the back side can be visually recognized through the collar part 11. That is, the whole collar part 11 functions as a light transmission part. The total light transmittance can be controlled by forming fine irregularities on the surface of the flange 11 or the amount of titanium oxide contained in the resin material constituting the flange 11. Specifically, the total light transmittance can be lowered by increasing the content of titanium oxide or forming fine irregularities.

  When the total light transmittance of the collar part 11 is 63% or more, the hand operated through the collar part 11 can be visually recognized. Moreover, it is preferable that the total light transmittance of the collar part 11 is 90% or less. If the total light transmittance of the buttock 11 is too high, the transparency will be high, and it may be difficult for the user to recognize the buttock. However, according to the buttocks having a total light transmittance of 90% or less, the user can surely recognize the buttocks. In the present invention, translucency means that the total light transmittance is 63% or more and 90% or less.

  The collar part 11 is comprised by polyolefin resin, an elastomer, paper, and another material. The collar part 11 according to the present embodiment is formed of polyethylene or polypropylene resin.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing how the tampon applicator is used. FIG. 3 schematically shows a state in which the user holds the tampon applicator 1 as viewed from the tip (extruding opening 8) side of the outer cylinder 2. Since the entire collar part 11 is translucent, the user can visually recognize the hand (the hand that operates the tampon applicator) having the inner cylinder 3 or the gripping cylinder part 7 through the collar part 11. Therefore, when pressing the inner cylinder 3 toward the outer cylinder 2, the operation state can be grasped, the absorber 4 can be pushed out smoothly, and the absorber can be disposed at an appropriate position in the vagina. .

  In addition, it is desirable that the diameter of the flange portion 11 is a length extending outward by at least 2 mm from the inner diameter of the hole portion from the viewpoint of securing the strength around the hole portion 11a. Furthermore, the diameter of the buttocks 11 is desirably at least 15 mm from the viewpoint of preventing body fluid from adhering to the finger when the buttocks 11 and the vaginal opening contact.

  Moreover, since the collar part 11 is rotatable with respect to the gripping cylinder part 7, the collar part 11 is rotated with respect to the outer cylinder 2 when the outer cylinder 2 is inserted into the body while the collar part 11 is gripped. The outer cylinder 2 can be inserted into the body while maintaining an appropriate angle. Specifically, in the state where the extrusion opening 8 which is the tip of the outer cylinder 2 is in contact with the vaginal opening, and in the state where the outer cylinder 2 is inserted into the vagina and the buttocks 11 is in contact with the vaginal opening, the tampon The angle and position of the hand holding the applicator 1 for use change. At this time, by rotating the collar part 11 with respect to the outer cylinder 2, the relative angle between the collar part 11 and the outer cylinder 2 can be changed by following the change in the position and angle of the hand with respect to the tampon applicator. it can. Therefore, even if the angle or position of the hand holding the tampon applicator 1 is changed, the user can insert it smoothly by appropriately applying force to the tampon applicator.

  Further, the flange portion 11 in the present embodiment is obtained by injection-molding a thermoplastic resin using a mold. When the injection molding is performed, the flange portion 11 may be molded at the same time as the outer cylinder 2, or may be molded separately, and may be configured to be fitted through an integral forming process during the manufacturing process. Moreover, the collar part 11 is comprised so that attachment or detachment with respect to the outer cylinder 2 is possible, and it may be comprised so that a user may fit before use.

  Next, a usage mode of the tampon applicator configured as described above will be described. When using the absorber 4, the user inserts the outer cylinder 2 to an appropriate position in the vagina. In a state where the outer cylinder 2 is inserted to an appropriate position, the plane on the back side (outer cylinder main body side) of the collar portion 11 is disposed in the vicinity of the vaginal opening. Even if it is going to insert the outer cylinder 2 further in this state, the collar part 11 contacts the user's body. That is, the collar part 11 exhibits the function as a stopper, and the user can grasp that the outer cylinder 2 has been inserted to an appropriate position. In addition, since the buttocks 11 are arranged between the vaginal opening and the finger when the outer tube 2 is inserted to an appropriate position, the user's finger is prevented from being contaminated by body fluid such as menstrual blood. Can do.

  Next, after the user inserts the outer cylinder 2 to a predetermined position in the vagina, the user presses the inner cylinder 3 toward the outer cylinder 2, whereby the absorber 4 is pushed out from the extrusion opening 8 of the outer cylinder 2. Then, the absorber 4 is disposed at an appropriate position in the vagina. Thus, by providing the collar part 11, the absorber 4 can be easily arranged at an appropriate position without the user's finger touching the vicinity of the vaginal opening. By arranging the absorber 4 at an appropriate position, the user can feel uncomfortable during use and can feel comfortable using the tampon.

  In addition, the whole collar part 11 which concerns on 1st Embodiment is comprised as a light transmissive part. However, the collar part 11 which concerns on this invention is not restricted to this structure, A part of collar part may be comprised as a light transmissive part. Subsequently, the collar part which concerns on a modification is demonstrated. 4 is a plan view of the flange part 12 according to the first modification example, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the flange part 13 according to the second modification example, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the flange part 14 according to the third modification example. FIG. In the following description of the modified example, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  The outer shape of the collar portion 12 according to Modification 1 is substantially circular in plan view. At the center of the collar portion 12, a hole portion 12a into which the gripping cylinder portion 7 is inserted is formed. Around the hole 12a, an opening 12b is formed as a light transmission part. By providing the opening 12b, even if the total light transmittance of the collar 11 is 63% or less, the user can visually recognize the hand operating the inner cylinder or the like via the collar 11. .

  The size of the opening portion 12b only needs to be configured so that the hand operating through the opening portion 12b can be visually recognized. Specifically, the size is preferably 2 mm or more. The number of openings 12b is not particularly limited, but is desirably formed on the entire collar so as to be visible from various angles, and may be 3 to 8, for example. Moreover, the whole collar part 11 may have a mesh structure.

  The method of forming the opening 12b may be formed by mold injection, laser molding, thermoforming, or other methods. As the shape of the opening 12b, various configurations such as a round shape, an oval shape, a star shape, a heart shape, and a clover shape can be adopted.

  In Modification 1, the opening portion 12b is formed in the collar portion 11 so that a hand or the like operated through the opening portion can be visually recognized. However, the total light transmittance is formed in the region of the opening portion 12b. However, it may be configured such that a hand operating the inner cylinder or the like can be visually recognized through the high light transmission part by forming a high light transmission part of 63% or more.

  The collar part 13 according to Modification 2 is entirely translucent, and a concave part 13c that is recessed in the hole part 13a (center side) is formed on the outer periphery thereof. By providing the concave portion 13c, the user can place the finger along the concave portion 13c and can grip the collar portion 11. Therefore, the outer cylinder 2 can be inserted with a finger placed on the recess 13c, and the outer cylinder can be inserted at an appropriate position and angle in the vagina and the absorber 4 can be easily placed at an appropriate position in the vagina. It becomes possible to do. Further, by providing the recess 13c, even a user with a long fingernail or a user wearing a false nail can direct the nail away from the vaginal opening. Can be prevented from hitting the body.

  Further, three recesses 13c are formed, and the intervals between the recesses 13c are equal, and the three recesses 13c are arranged so as to be shifted by 120 degrees with respect to the center of the hole 13a. By providing the collar portion 13 in this manner, the collar portion 13 can be gripped by three fingers, and stability when the outer cylinder 2 is inserted can be improved. Furthermore, by setting the intervals between the three recesses 13c to be equal, it is possible to apply the force evenly through the recesses 13c to have the flange 13 and to improve the stability when gripped. Note that three or more recesses may be formed.

  The method of forming the recess 13c may be mold injection, laser molding, thermoforming, or other methods. Various configurations such as a streamline shape, a concave shape, an isosceles triangle shape, and a tear drop shape can be adopted as the shape of the concave portion 13c.

  Moreover, the collar part 14 which concerns on the modification 3 has integrated the hole part 14a in which an outer cylinder is inserted, and the opening part 14b as a light transmissive part. In FIG. 6, the hole portion 14 a is disposed substantially at the center of the flange portion 14, and four openings 12 b are formed radially outward from this center. Thus, since the opening can be formed at the same time by integrating the hole 14a and the opening 14b, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved. In addition, the flange portion 14 is in contact with the outer cylinder 2 at four contact points and is fitted to the outer cylinder 2 using the four contact points as fulcrums, so that the fitting balance is improved and the fitting state is stabilized. be able to. The integral molding method may be mold injection, laser molding, thermoforming, or other methods.

  As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments that are not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

  For example, the collar portion may have an outer shape other than a regular circle in plan view, may be a polygon such as a rectangle or a triangle, may be a heart shape or a star shape, or may be an ellipse. It may be in the shape of an animal head. For example, by making the outer shape of the buttocks into a heart shape, the shape of an animal head, or the like, a medical device tampon can be cutely decorated with the buttocks. Therefore, the depressed feeling of the user's physiology can be relieved and the willingness to use the next time can be improved.

  Moreover, the decoration effect can be further enhanced by coloring the collar. The color attached to the buttocks is not particularly limited. For example, the heart-shaped buttocks can be red or pink, and the bear-head-shaped buttocks can be brown. Furthermore, by coloring the collar part, the collar part can be made conspicuous, and handling in a dim place such as a toilet becomes easy.

  Further, the outer peripheral shape of the collar portion is preferably a curved shape. The curved shape may be any configuration that does not have a sharp corner, and may include a linear shape in part. Since the outer peripheral shape of the buttock is a curved shape, it is possible to reduce the feel when the user grips the buttock.

  Hereafter, an Example and a comparative example are given and the visibility evaluation of the collar part of this invention is demonstrated in detail. In addition, this invention is not limited by these.

(Evaluation details)
Using the heel part with different total light transmittances according to Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2, visibility evaluation was performed as to whether or not the hand on the back side can be recognized through the heel part.

(Measurement method of total light transmittance)
The buttock is sandwiched between sample scissors, the sample stage is moved so that the light receiving hole is positioned at the center of the light beam, and the lid of the optical test chamber is closed. Next, the total light transmittance is measured. The total light transmittance was measured at five locations for each heel part, and the average value was calculated.

(Total light transmittance measuring device)
A colorimetric color difference meter (Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd. Model NDH-300A) was used.

・ Measurement method: Conforms to JIS K7105 measurement method A ・ Measurement light source: Halogen lamp 12V4A Lifetime 2000 hours ・ Optical path method: Cross light measurement method with total light transmittance and diffuse transmittance ・ Light receiving element: Silicon conforming to JIS K 7105 1 photocell used ・ Filter: Glass filter Y
・ Measurement area Φ12mm
・ Power supply AC100V 50 / 60HZ

(Evaluation method)
Using the flanges according to Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, it was determined whether or not the back side of the flange can be visually recognized. The number of monitors is five. For each example and comparative example, five monitors determined the visibility. When it was determined that the back side could be visually recognized by the monitor, it was determined that recognition was possible, and when it was determined that the back side was not visible, it was determined that recognition was impossible.

(Evaluation results)
The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

  As for the buttocks according to Examples 1 to 4, it was found that two or more monitors were able to recognize and the back side could be visually recognized through the buttocks. Therefore, the total light transmittance of the buttocks is desirably 63% or more. Moreover, the buttocks according to Example 3 and Example 4 determined that all five monitors could recognize. Therefore, the total light transmittance of the buttocks is preferably 72% or more.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Applicator for tampons, 2 ... Outer cylinder, 3 ... Inner cylinder, 4 ... Absorber, 4a ... Extraction string, 5 ... Projection part, 7 ... Gripping cylinder part, 8 ... Extrusion opening, 8a ... Petal body, 9 ... 11, 12, 13, 14 ... collar part, 11 a, 12 a, 13 a, 14 a ... hole part, 12 b, 14 b ... opening part, 13 c ... concave part

Claims (4)

An outer cylinder in which an absorber is housed and an extrusion opening through which the absorber is pushed out is provided on one side and a gripping cylinder part is provided on the other side, and inserted into the gripping cylinder part and into the outer cylinder An applicator for a tampon comprising an inner cylinder capable of extruding the absorber outward from the extrusion opening by movement,
It comprises a flange that extends radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the grip cylinder part of the outer cylinder,
A light transmission part is formed in the collar part so that the gripping cylinder part side can be visually recognized from the extrusion opening side of the outer cylinder through the collar part,
The diameter of the buttocks is 15 mm or more,
On the outer periphery of the collar portion, there are three recesses for hooking fingers ,
The recess is recessed on the center side of the flange,
The tampon applicator has an equal interval between the recesses.   The tampon applicator according to claim 1, wherein a total light transmittance of the light transmitting portion is 63% or more. The buttocks are translucent or transparent,
The tampon applicator according to claim 1, wherein the light transmission part is formed over the entire collar part. The tampon applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the flange portion is rotatable with respect to the gripping cylinder portion.